TRANSFORMING HOW I SEE & USE MONEY: 50 Days of Transformation Part 6

TRANSFORMING HOW I SEE & USE MONEY 

50 Days of Transformation – Part 6 (Financial Health)

Rick Warren 

March 1-2, 2014 

Jesus spoke more about money than about heaven or hell.  Over half of parables deal with money.
One out of six verses in Matthew, Mark and Luke deal with money management.
Money has a tremendous power and influence upon us for good or bad.
If you don't learn to manage your money, it will manage you.
It can cause stress or security. Bless or ruin.
 This is one of the most confusing stories that Jesus told.
It appears that Jesus is commending dishonesty, a clever crook - to teach us about how to handle and view money.

If you change your perspective about money it will transform your life.

Story of the Shrewd Manager: Luke 16:1-13

 Jesus said, “There once was a rich man who enlisted a manager to take
 care of his property. But the manager was accused of wasting his
 master’s possessions, so the Owner called him in and said, ‘You must
 now give me an account of your stewardship and report what you’ve
 done with what I entrusted to you because your time as a manager is
 ending!’
 The manager thought, 'What am I going to do now? I’m losing my job
but I’m not strong enough to dig ditches and I’m too proud to beg! I
know what I'll do—so that after I lose my job, I’ll have plenty of friends to
take care of me!’ So he called in everybody who was in debt to his
master.
He asked the first man, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ‘800 gallons
of olive oil,’ he replied. The manager said, ‘OK. Tear up that bill, and
write a new bill that says you only owe 400 gallons.’ Next, the manager
found another debtor and asked, ‘How much do YOU owe?’ ‘1000
bushels of wheat,’ he replied. The manager said, ‘OK, change your bill to
say you only own 800.’ Now when the Master heard what the dishonest
manager had done, he still praised his shrewdness. For worldly people
are more shrewd in handling their affairs than are those who belong to
the Light.” verses 1-8

Jesus is speaking and teaching the pharisees - religious self centered, pious, critical and condemning hypocrites.  Jesus loved to shock them.

Jesus comforted the afflicted and afflicted the discomforting people.

God considers worthless - most things that people think are worthy of time, energy & money.
They are worthless to God and do not matter to Him.
If you truly wish to be transformed - learn to think and treat money differently... and use money the way God intends for money to be used.

Jesus also spoke to believers who are primarily poor money managers.
Jesus said the worldly people are more shrewd about affairs - clever, resourceful, analytical, action oriented.

God wants you to learn biblical shrewdness about money.
From this story we learn 4 things & 5 truths

WHAT NOT TO DO WITH MONEY: 4 PRINCIPLES

1. DON’T WASTE IT.
 “The manager was accused of wasting his master’s possession.”
 Luke 16:1
Whatever God entrusts to you - do not waste it. Take good care of it and manage it well.

2. DON’T LOVE IT OR LIVE FOR IT. 
 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one, and
 love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the
 other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13

If your career is most important priority - the God is not first in your life.
The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.
It is difficult to work for 2 supervisors... you will tend to prefer one over the other.
It is easy for money to become a god.

3. DON’T TRUST IT.
 “What am I going to do now? I’m losing my job . . .” Luke 16:3

Never put your security in something that could be taken from you.
Put your security in something you can never lose.
Health, Beauty, Wealth, Things, Relationships, etc. - all can be lost.

 “Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and
 flown away like an eagle.” Proverbs 23:5 (TEV)

The government put eagles on every dollar - which is a reminder that money will always fly away.

4. DON’T EXPECT MONEY TO SATISFY
 “Whoever loves money will never have enough, and whoever loves
 wealth will never be satisfied with his income.” Ecclesiastes 5:10

When you get more money, you always want more and more.

 “Guard against all kinds of greed because your life is not
 measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

WHAT TO REMEMBER EVERYDAY: 5 TRUTHS

Act upon them and change your life.

1. IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD.
 “[The Owner] enlisted a manager to take care of HIS property.”
 Luke 16:1

Tell yourself:
"This is God's car, home, clothes, life, health, career, opportunities, possessions, relationships..." etc.
It all is on loan from God to use during your life.
We are all simply managing what God has blessed us with.
If it was not for God, you would not even have it or be alive to enjoy it.
He owns and created everything for His purpose.

When it does not belong to you, you don't have to worry about it as much.
You can turn to God about every problem.  He is the master and is responsible for everything.
How well are you taking care of God's property?
When I waste money, I am wasting God's money - if it all belongs to Him and is dedicated to Him.

Life is a test.
God is constantly testing you.
God's favorite tool is money management.


2. GOD USES MONEY TO TEST US

 o IT SHOWS WHAT I LOVE MOST.
 “Don’t store up treasure here on earth . . . Instead, store your
 treasures in heaven . . . for wherever your treasure is, that’s where
 your heart will be.” M atthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

You can't love without giving.
The more loving you are, the more generous you are.
What you give to shows what you care about.

 o IT SHOWS WHAT I TRUST
 “If you trust in your money, you will fall, but if you trust in God,
 you’ll flourish like a green tree.” Proverbs 11:28 (NLT)

Your spending shows your priorities. 
How you handle your money demonstrates if you trust God, and if God can trust you.

Out of control finances = an out of control life.

 o IT SHOWS IF YOU CAN BE TRUSTED IN OTHER AREAS
 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with
 much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be
dishonest with much. If you have not been trustworthy in handling
 worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have
 not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give
 you property of your own?” Luke 16:10-12

This temporary life is a preparation for the eternal future life we will have ahead of us.

If you are irresponsible with your money on earth, you won't be trusted with true riches in heaven.
How I handle money determines how much God can bless my life.
There is a direct connection between money and maturity, my bucks and my blessings in life.
It is not about what I have, but rather what I do with what I have.

3.MONEY IS A TOOL FOR GOD's PURPOSES.
 “I tell you, ‘use your worldly wealth!’” Luke 16:9a

 Money is neutral.  It is neither good, nor bad. It is simply a tool to be used for God's purposes.
Use money, Love people. 
Never end up: Loving money then you will use people.

Use temporary resources for permanent good.
The best use of money is to save time.
You can always get more money, but you won't get more time.
Your time is your life.
If you waste time - it is suicide.
Use money to do good, save time, honor God, etc. use it as a powerful tool.

What the manager did right:

 o HE LOOKED AHEAD. (vs. 3)
 “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool
 himself and won’t face facts.” Proverbs 14:8 (LB)
Wisdom: He thinks about the future.
What are the facts you refuse to admit.
You may be driving expensive vehicles or lifestyles you can't afford.
Most people do not save for retirement or have emergency funds, because they won't face facts to prepare for the future.
It is wise to help others now, so you will be cared for later in eternity.

 o HE MADE A PLAN. (vs. 4)
 “We should make plans—counting on God to direct us.”
 Proverbs 16:9 (LB)

A budget is planned spending.  Controlling your money, so your money does not control you.
Telling your money where you want it to go, instead of wondering where it went.
Money doesn't talk, it just walks away without you realizing it.
There is typically too much month left at the end of the money.

 o HE ACTED QUICKLY. (vs. 5-6)
Be proactive.  Stop procrastinating.
Everything in our culture and world urges us to use money for short term pleasure: "spend, buy, immediate, instant, gratification"... instead of delay gratification, save, plan, prepare for eternal gain.
Often times people use credit, they spend before they even have the cash.

4.THE BEST USE OF MONEY IS TO USE IT IN GETTING PEOPLE TO HEAVEN.
Jesus: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for
yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you
into your eternal dwelling.” Luke 16:9

Use your money and resources for influence and to build affluence for eternity.
The best investment is in relationships that are built upon Jesus Christ.
The only thing you can take with you to heaven is the relationships you have in Christ.
Will others be in heaven because of your investment of money?  That is the eternal IRA!

5. ONE DAY I WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO GOD
 “You must now give me an account of your stewardship and report
 what you've done with what I entrusted to you because your time
 as a manager is ending!” Luke 16:2

You will be audited about your life: time, energy, money, relationships and all the blessings God entrusted to you to see if you were faithful.
Your management career on earth will end. 

It's not the amount - it is what you do with what you have.
You are not responsible for what you did not have.
(Talents, opportunities, resources, money)
You are accountable for what God does give to you.
The better you handle those gifts and talents the more trust worthy you are for more.
Faithfulness in little ways, will make you faithful in bigger ways.

Matthew 25:29  To all who have, more will be given, and they will have more than enough. But everything will be taken away from those who don’t have much.

Does God have first place in your life?
Does the way you use your money shows that you trust God and He can trust you?
Will anybody be in heaven, because of you?

Facing Fears That Ruin Relationships: Part 5 of 50 Days of Transformation

FACING THE FEARS THAT 

RUIN RELATIONSHIPS 

50 Days of Transformation –Part 5 

Rick Warren 

February 22-23, 2014 

GENESIS 3:6-19 

“… so Eve ate some of the fruit. Then she also gave some to her husband, 

Adam, who was with her, and he ate it. 

 Immediately, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at 

their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover up 

themselves. Then they heard the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of 

the day, and they hid from God among the trees. But God called out to 

Adam, ‘Where are you? ’ Adam replied, ‘I heard you coming and 

 I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ 

 Then God asked, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten 

from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’ 

 Adam said, ‘You gave me this woman and she gave me the fruit, so I ate 

it.’ Then God said to Eve, ‘Why did you to this?’ Eve replied, ‘The serpent 

deceived me, and I ate it.’ 

 … So God said to Eve, ‘(Because you disobeyed me) you’ll have greater 

trouble in pregnancy and great pain in childbirth. And though you’ll desire 

your husband, he’s going to lord it over you.’ 

 Then God said to Adam, ‘Because you also disobeyed me and sinned 

with your wife, the ground you work is now cursed. And though you’ll get 

to eat what you planted, your fields will have weeds, and thorns and 

thistles, and for the rest of your life you’ll have to sweat and work hard to 

get your food until you yourself are returned to the dirt that I used to 

create you. ’” 

Rick's fun commentary:

The problems began with the first relationship of Adam & Eve.

God didn't need us, but he wanted a family, that is why he created us to have relationship with him.

God realized it was not good for man to be alone. He made us for relationships.

God created man out of dirt - that's why men don't mind getting dirty.

God created women out of man... near his heart, to be loved by him.

When adam saw Eve, he said, "Whoa - Man!!! = Woman.

Eve was the only woman in the world for Adam... so they truly were each other's one and only love.

The middle letter of sIn and prIde is  "I". 

Satan tempted Eve and Adam by promising they could be as "God".

We always want to be in control of our own life... instead of trusting and obeying God.

Sin causes pain and hardship.  The curse included pain and work.

HOW OUR FEARS RUIN RELATIONSHIPS 

1. MY FEAR OF EXPOSURE MAKES ME DISTANT 
Why is it hard to get close to people and experience intimacy?
There are a lot of things you don't like or accept about yourself.
You will hide those flaws and failures and it will keep you hiding and aloof.
It is when we admit and accept ourselves and the problem as it is, then we can move forward.

“God called to Adam, ‘Why are you hiding?’ Adam said, ‘I was
afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” Gen. 3:9-10 (LB/TEV)
 Fear always makes us hide and pretend.
What are you hiding? Fearful? 
You are as sick as your secrets.

Sin separates us from God.
“… they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness” vs. 7a (NLT)
 Shame is wrapped in fear and embarassment.
Shame makes me nervous, more self conscious, anxious, afraid of humiliation, afraid to take risks.

“So they sewed fig leaves to cover up themselves.” vs. 7b
 Sin makes us cover up.  To hide our wrongs.
People hide behind things - they pretend to be something they are not by their status symbols, clothes, etc.

What ways do you use to cover up?
Humor - is a tool to keep people at a distance.
Image - facade to appear on the outside what lacks on the inside.  Many hide behind an online image .

 “Then they hid from God among the trees.” vs. 8
Distance from God.
God does not expect us to be perfect.  But He does expect us to be honest.

2. MY FEAR OF DISAPPROVAL MAKES ME DEFENSIVE 
“God asked, ‘Did you eat … what I told you not to eat?’ Adam
answered, ‘YOU gave me this woman and SHE gave me the fruit!’
 Gen. 3:11-12

Every relationship experiences this because of our fears.

Criticism causes defensiveness, because we are afraid of rejection.

We change from hiding to hurling stones at others.

Excusing to accusing.

“Then Eve said, ‘The SNAKE tricked me into eating!’” Gen. 3:13
(TEV)
3. MY FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL MAKES ME DEMANDING
The result of their sin:

“… You’ll have yearning for your husband, but he will lord it over
you…” vs. 16 (NJB) “… he will dominate you …” (Ber)

3. MY FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL MAKES ME DEMANDING
Battles results.
The more out of control you feel, the more controlling you become.
Bullies are the most insecure people.  They are deeply frightened so they put on a persona of "macho, bad boy, tough guy".

THE ANTIDOTE: LEARN TO LIVE IN GOD’S LOVE
“Wherever God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect
love drives out all fear.” 1 John 4:18a (NCV)

When you fully experience God's love it drives out fear.

“It is the thought of punishment (negative consequences) that
makes a person fearful.” 1 John 4:18b (NCV)

1. EVERYDAY SURRENDER MY HEART TO GOD
“Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up
your sins— even those you do in secret. Then you won't be
ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will
go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will
be brighter than noon. Then you’ll rest safe and secure, filled
with hope and emptied of worry!” Job 11:13-18 (CEV)

2. EVERYDAY REMEMBER THE WAY GOD LOVES ME

o I’M COMPLETELY ACCEPTED
 “Jesus made us acceptable to God.” Titus 3:7 (CEV)

o I’M UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED
 “M y love for you will never end says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:10

o I’M TOTALLY FORGIVEN
 “There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!” Rom. 8:1

o I’M CONSIDERED EXTREMELY VALUABLE
 “You’ve been bought and paid for by Christ’s death.” 1 Cor. 7:23

3. EVERYDAY OFFER THAT SAME LOVE TO OTHERS
“Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.” Rom. 15:7

 “Love never stops being patient,
 Love never stops believing,
 Love never stops hoping,
 Love never give up!”
 1 Cor. 13:7 (GW)

This is real love.... this is how to be a great lover - Love others as GOD loves you!
Love extends grace.  God is so gracious with you, be more gracious and kind towards others.
Love expresses faith.  You believe in God. God believes in you.  You accepted Christ.  Christ accepted you.
Love never stops believing.
Love expects the best.  It never stops hoping.  Even in discouragement you still expect the best.
Love endures the worst, it never gives up.
Real love casts out all fear.
It removes distance, defensiveness, desire to demand and dominate.

How to deal with how you feel. 50 Days of Transformation part 4

HOW TO DEAL WITH HOW YOU FEEL

50 Days of Transformation – Part 4 (Emotional Health)

Rick Warren

February 15-16, 2014

Jesus said: “The most important commandment is this: You must love the Lord your God with ALL YOUR HEART, and all your SOUL, and all your MIND, and all your STRENGTH.”Mark 12:29-30 (NLT)

God wants an emotional passionate relationship with you that is full of feelings.
God has emotions.  If God was not a God of Love, love would not exist. God created love and emtoions.
God has feelings: joy, grief, pain, frustration, anger.
My emotions are a gift from God. They are an asset in your life and make you human.
Even negative emotions have a role in your life.

UNDERSTAND MY EMOTIONS

You were made in God's image and He created emotions.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...’”Genesis 1:26 (NIV)

o Two extremes to avoid:

Emotionalism:

All that matters is how I feel. Doesn't matter what is right or wrong.

Everything I do is based upon my emotions and I am emtional person.

Stoicism:

Feelings are not important at all.  The only things that matter are intellect and will.

Oddly stoic persons marry emotional persons.
 Stuffers and gushers.  And they get angry at each other for how they handle their emotions.

God gave you emotions and a mind for a reason.
Some folks religions are either emotional or stoic.
Both are wrong.

o God gave us

 the book of Psalm

to understand our emotions.

Psalms has every emotion known to mankind in it.
Anger, Depression, Complaint, Sorrow, Argument, etc.

WHY I MUST LEARN TO MANAGE MY EMOTIONS

Learn how to heal if you have been emotionally damaged.

Managing your emotions will help you manage your life and succeed.

1. BECAUSE

 My feelings are often unreliable. They can lead you in the wrong direction.

“There is a way that SEEMS right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.”Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

Your emotions and gut feelings are often wrong.
You don't have to believe you think, or accept everything you feel is reality or right.
Just because you feel it doesn't mean it is true.

2. BECAUSE

 I don't want to be manipulated.

“Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.”Proverbs 25:28 (NAB)

If you are always guided by feelings others will take advantage of you.
Sales persons and advertisers are trained to manipulate you by eliciting emotional responses.
Impulse buying is purchases you don't need or really want.
Unsafe to be ruled by emotions or without self control.
You become defenseless to your old nature and old moods and others who will exploit you.
Satan's favorite tool in your life is negative emotions: fear, resentment, jealousy, envy, worry, anxiety, shame, etc.
If you don't manage your emotions you will be victimized by Satan ... your enemy to destroy you.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

3. BECAUSE

 I want to please God.

“To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace . . . Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.”Romans 8:6-8 (TEV)

God can't rule my life if my emotions rule my life.
Base decisions on what God says instead of how you feel.

4. BECAUSE

 I want to succeed in life.

“[People] get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control.”Proverbs 5:23 (CEV)

Manage your mood to succeed.  If you don't you will fail.
Emotions are more important than intelligence for success.
People who manage and understand emotions are good in relationships and dealing with others.
People ruin their reputation or opportunities because of losing self control and letting their emotions rule them.
People get lost and die - they do not live fully.
When you give your life to Christ you give your emotions - He wants to be Lord over all of you.

“From now on you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God’s will and not by human desires.”1 Peter 4:2 (TEV)

Human desires are your emotions and affection and feelings.
Your life is to be controlled by God's will not how you feel.

HOW TO MANAGE AN UNWANTED FEELING

1.

You must name the feeling.  You can only control what you have identifed.

If you don't know what the problem is you can't work on it.

You are not as in touch with your emotions as you think you are.

How in touch with your feelings do you think you are?
Identify the emotions you felt recently.
If you can't name it, you can't change it.

ASK:

1. What am I really feeling?  
2. What is making me feel __________ this way?  Find the source of your feelings.
3. What are my triggers?  
4. What triggered this?

If you can't talk about it, it is already out of control. 

In talking it out, you will take it out on your body.

If you swallow your emotions, your stomach keeps score.

Emotions were meant to be shared.

Sometimes a trigger could be a sound, sight, smell, touch, that causes an emotional response.

You need to know these things.

You can't manage what you don't know.

I can't tame it until I name it.  I can't solve a problem that I can't identify.


2.

Challenge it.  Don't automatically accept it.

David often asked God to challenge his emotions.
God knows your triggers and understand you best.
Ask God to help you evaluate and understand yourself, your motives and affections.
Let close friends challenge your feelings... a true friend has permission to confront you with truth.

Elephaz asked Job: “Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash?”

Job 15:12 (NIV)

Why do you become so angry?
Find a spiritual partner who will challenge your thinking.

 ASK:

1. What is the real reason I am feeling this way?  
2. Is it true?
3. Is what I am feeling a help or hindrance?
4. Does nagging work on you?  Does it make you want to change or defensive and discouraged?

Do you get better service by getting angry?  You may feel better to vent, but you will get the exact opposite of what you want.

In a crisis lower your voice, do not raise it.

Raising your voice will escalate the problem.

3.

Tame it or change it.  Make the change you want to make.

Change it or channel it.
Your attitude should be the same as how Jesus would feel.
What would Jesus do?
Dismiss any feeling that Jesus would dismiss.  Respond as Jesus would.
Jesus would not be bitter, enraged, jealous, etc.

Channel negative emotions and use them for good.
If you are a victim - anger is a natural and justified response. Can your anger be used for good?
Yes, you can become a champion for justice and fairness.
When you use your anger for your benefit, that is selfishness... but when you use it for other's benefits, it is evidence of love.
Love gets angry - when it wants to protect and cares about preventing evil.
Use negative emotions in a positive way.

What do you do with blocked love?
Rechannel it.
Don't stew in your hurt, use it for good.
Love others.
137 million orphans in this world.
Use your pain to help others.
Don't waste hurts and pain.
What pain in your life are you using for good?
Your greatest ministry could come from your deepest pain.
It doesn't come out of your strengths and successes.

How do you tame a wild emotion?
Worry
Perfectionist
Laziness
Fear
Anxiety
Hot temper
Calm up / Martyr

Not by willpower... you won't succeed by your own strength... but by MY Spirit says the Lord.

o Everyday: Ask God to fill me with His Spirit. I need Your Spirit in my life.

“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

Self control comes from God control.
The more God controls me the more self control I have over my mind and emotions.
That is a good thing!  Life is so much better to be full of the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
What is inside of you comes out when pressure is on.
If you squeeze a bottle of shampoo - shampoo comes out.
What is inside will come out.
When I am filled with God's Spirit, you can handle anything.
If you are filled with yourself and hate, etc. it will come out under pressure. 

o Everyday: ASK God to help me manage my mouth.

“Self-control means controlling the tongue!”Proverbs 13:3 (LB)

In a multitude of words there is sin.
Book of James addresses controlling our words.
Your tongue is like a tiny rudder on a big ship... What you say is where you will go.
When you say, "Lord help me to manage my mouth."

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord!”

Make God's word, my words.

What is inside your heart will come out of your mouth.

My heart is revealed in my words.

I need a heart transplant if I have an angry, bitter, proud, jealous, envious, impatient unloving heart.  Ask God to change your heart and fill you with His Spirit.You will see miracles happen in your life.

"I have hidden your word in my heart, so I may not sin against you."Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

YOUR SMALL GROUP THIS WEEK

“How to Heal Your Damaged Emotions”

Change Your Life By Changing Your Mind 50 Days of Transformation

Change Your Life By Changing Your Mind 

Mental Health

50 Days of Transformation – Part 3

Rick Warren 

February 8-9, 2014 

http://www.saddleback.com/mc/Archives/

“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but let God 

transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” 

 Romans 12:2 (NLT) 

God is more concerned about changing your mind, rather than changing your circumstances.

Nothing happens in your life, no change takes place in your life until your thoughts change.

WHY I MUST MANAGE MY MIND 

BECAUSE: My thoughts control my life.

 “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” 

 Proverbs 4:23 (TEV) 

If you don't think it, you don't do it.

We are always interested in our feelings, but feelings don't shape your life, your beliefs do.

You are taught things about yourself that is not true and you behave accordingly.

 BECAUSE: My mind is the battleground for sin.

All temptation happens in your mind first before sin results.

Learn how to manage your mind, learn how to manage your life!

“I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there’s 

something else deep within me that is at war with my mind and wins the 

fight and makes me a slave to the sin within me. In my mind I want to be 

God’s servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.” 

 Romans 7:22-23 (LB) 

It is such an intense battle, because your brain is your greatest asset.

Whatever gets your attention gets you.

The world and Satan wants to rule your mind.

BECAUSE Managing my mind is the key to peace and happiness.

An unmanaged mind leads to tension, stress, conflict, chaos, weakness.

Managed mind leads to tranquility, peace, confidence, security, serenity, strength.

 “If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. 

But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 (NLT) 

3 DAILY CHOICES FOR A HEALTHY MIND 

Only you can control your thoughts!

Satan or others can't control your thoughts.

God is not going to control your thoughts.

Change the channel.

Make choices.

1. I MUST FEED MY MIND WITH TRUTH.

Good nutrition causes strength and energy and bring vitality. 

This is also true with your thought life.

Feed your mind with goodness not junk.

You shall know the truth and the truth shall set your free.

 “People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every 

 WORD OF GOD.” Matthew 4:4 (NLT) 

The best leaders make the best decisions based upon the best information.

You must have the best information to live the best life and that is God's Word.

The Bible is our soul food and manual for life.

There are over 700,000 promises in God's Word.

WHEN?All the time, Morning, Noon, and Night feed upon God's Word.

 “I rise early . . . to cry out for help and to put my hope in your words.” 

 Psalm 119:147 (NLT) 

Start each day with hope instead of despair.

 “Lord, how I love your Word. I think about it all day long.” Psalm 119:97 

 “Even in the darkest of night, your teachings fill my mind.” Psalm 16:7 (CEV) 

David was a man after God's own heart, because he sought God and His Word continually.

"When wicked people hide and seek to ambush and kill me, I quietly keep my mind on your decrees." Psalm 119:95

David kept his mind on God's truth inspite of danger.

2. I MUST FREE MY MIND FROM DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS.

Your mind needs to be released and delivered, because you are a prisioner of your own thoughts and what others may have told you that are not true. Because you always act according to how you perceive yourself and what you think others think about you.

This will set you free from your good intentions that are battling in your brain. 

You will have to fight to free your mind.

The 3 areas that are enemies you must fight are:

1. My old sin nature. 

Romans 7:23 - "I see in my body a principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells inside me."

When you find yourself doing things you really don't wish to do: self defeating behavior.  This is the battle in your brain, when you have the best intentions.  Your old sin nature is your old bad habits.

2. SATAN: 

Wants to control your mind.  He can't.  He can't force you to do anything. Greater is HE who is in me than he who is in the world... But he can plant seeds of negative thoughts in your mind and use others & things (TV, PC, etc.) to pull you astray. You can't keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from pooping in your hair or building a nest on your head. You think a lot of thoughts that are not true. You do not have to believe everything you think. This is a liberating thought!   This is the path to mental health.

 “Those who are dominated by their sinful nature think about sinful things, 

 but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that 

 please the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 (NLT) 

 “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 

 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. [Our 

 weapons] have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish any 

 argument and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge 

 of God, and we TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT to make it OBEDIENT 

 to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

If you don't wake up and meet the devil face on, then you will just be going in the same direction.  So guard your heart and mind!  

When the devil gives a thought we call it temptation, when God gives a thought we call it inspiration, when we come up with our thoughts we call that stupidity.

2Corinthians 2:11 "I have forgiven that man, so Satan won't outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes."

Satan wants to keep you in unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment. 

Anytime you refuse to forgive you fall into Satan's trap.

3. THE WORLD's VALUE SYSTEM

All that is in the world, passion, possession, position, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life (money, sex, power) is not of the Father, it is of the world.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 

"Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world.  Our weapons have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish any argument and every pretensions that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Spiritual Strongholds are lies we believe.

Examples:

God doesn't really love me.

I know better than God what will make me happy.

False value systems such as hedonism: pleasure, materialism: things/money.

Attitudes - unforgiveness, depression, self pity, etc.

If you want to be mentally healthy you must demolish every stronghold.

Jesus wants us to know the way, the truth and life and be set free.

Satan wants to destroy us with lies.

We take captive and conquer every thought and make it obedient.

Bring into submission every thought to Christ.

When I need to pray, my mind drifts away.

When I need to ponder, my mind will wonder.

How do you make your mind - mind you?

You must use your will to bring your mind into order.

The reason most people fail and do not enjoy life is because they never learned to win the battle of their mind.

HOW TEMPTATION WORKS 

 “Temptation comes from the lure of OUR OWN evil desires. 

These evil desires lead to evil actions, and then the evil actions lead to death.” 

 James 1:14-15 (NLT) 

 Step 1: Desire - 

It always begins in your mind with a natural desire. 

It becomes more important anything else and uncontrolled.

If you don't have a desire, it is not a temptation. 

Smoking won't send you to hell, but it will make you smell like you have been there.  

All misused and abused desires will become destructive.

 Step 2: Doubt – “Did God really say...?” 

What tend to always doubt 2 things: God's love and God's Word.

Adam and Eve are in perfect paradise, no clothes and no kids... but they believed the lies of Satan and doubted God's love and word.

Everytime you get into a temptation you believe you know better and doubt God.

 Step 3: Deception – Believing a lie of Satan 

Satan replaces God's truth with his lie.

Satan lures us with our own evil desires.... bait depends upon the fish's attraction.

Ask yourself: "What kind of bait would Satan use on you to hook you?"

We know there is a hook, yet we still keep nibbling.  Flirting with temptation is foolish.

Lures are flashy, sparkles, appealing - but it is deceptive and leads to destruction.

Las Vegas should be called "Lost Wages". 

 Step 4: Disobedience & Defeat: Sin

My intention becomes my attitude which becomes my action begins in the battle of my mind.

What I flirt with I will fall for.

It could be simply a cupcake.

The moment you make the choice  to misbehave you will suffer the consequences.

The best time to win the battle is beforehand.

 “I have made up my mind to obey your laws forever, no matter what.” 

 Psalm 119:112 (CEV) 

 I must feed my mind constantly on truth not garbage.

I must free my mind from lies.

I must focus my mind on the right things.

I MUST THINK ABOUT JESUS

 “Keep your mind on Jesus Christ . . .” 2 Timothy 2:8 (CEV) 

 “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing 

 evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:3 (NCV) 

THINK ABOUT OTHERS

 “Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, 

 and in what they are doing.” Philippians 2:4 (LB) 

 “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do 

 good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24 (NCV) 

This is counter culture.  The world teaches to focus on yourself.

Look out for number one.  It's all about me.

It is not about you!

 It is only when you give your life away will you realize your purpose.

Small groups are the place to begin to learn to become unselfish.

THINK ABOUT ETERNITY

 “Let heaven fill your thoughts. 

Do not think only about things down here 

 on earth.” Colossians 3:2 (NLT) 

 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what 

 God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) 

Look at all the nit picky insignificant problems that take up so much of attention and ruin our lives in comparison to all the pleasant things God has prepared for us to enjoy now and forever.

"He is so heavenly minded he is no earthly good"... is not true. 

Those who are most heavenly minded throughout history 

have done the most good on earth for good.

I must feed my mind on truth daily.

I must free my mind from destructive thoughts, choose not to think them and change my mind.

I must focus on the right thing so I don't have time to pay attention to wrong.

Change your attention - you are no longer tempted.

PRAYER

Father, 

You gave us our minds. 

You made us in your image.

The greatest gift you have given to us is the gift of intellect.

We realize it is our greatest asset and yet the greatest battleground.

The world, the flesh, the devil all team up to thwart our best intentions.

God, help me to put into practice what I just learned.

Help me to make these healthy choices daily.

I want to feed my mind the truth all the time.

I want to free my mind from destructive thoughts.

Take every thought captive, obey Christ and not run wild.

Help me to be wise to temptations realize when desires turn into doubt, deception and disobedience.

God, today I will make up my mind to obey your Word no matter what.

Help me to think about Jesus, others and eternity everyday.

In Your name I pray.  Amen.